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Get closer to the this season by using Pulse while you watch the LIVE matches. Pulse asks you a range of questions relevant to the LIVE action as it unfolds. Your votes will be featured in the telecast in real-time and debated by the commentators, players and stars. If you've got a great question of your own, we'd love to hear it.

Pollock joins MI practice

Coach, mentor in action at the Wankhede

By IPL Desk

Mumbai 23 March 2012

Mumbai Indians coach and mentor Shaun Pollock joined the team practice that commenced a few days ago in anticipation of a big IPL season. The former South Africa captain was in the thick of the action during the net practice at the Wankhede Stadium.

RP Singh trained under the watchful eyes of the former all-rounder and received pointers on pace bowling. Later, it was local talent Sushant Marathe’s turn to receive some useful tips on his stance and balance while batting.

Another cricketer who has been sweating it out in the MI nets for the last couple of days is spinner Pragyan Ojha. The left-arm spinner has been working hard on his bowling under the guidance of Robin Singh.

In the batting session, the likes of TL Suman and Vidarbha’s Apoorva Wankhede cleared the ropes effortlessly, treating onlookers to some exciting shots. The bowlers, including Ojha, had to bear the brunt of the hard-hitting.

Shakib lifts Bangladesh past Lanka

KKR all-rounder guides hosts to Asia Cup final

By IPL desk

Mumbai 21 March 2012

Kolkata Knight Riders star Shakib Al Hasan came up with an all-round performance as Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the final league encounter of the Asia Cup played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium here in Dhaka today. The result knocks India out of the tournament while allowing the hosts the opportunity to clash with Pakistan in the final on March 22.

Bangladesh, who had four points from two games owing to their win against India in their previous league game, needed to beat Sri Lanka to qualify for the final. After captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and elected to field, medium-pacer Nazmul Hossain, who hadn’t played a single game in the competition, put the opposition on the back-foot by removing their top three batsmen before the first 10 overs of the game had been bowled.

Chamara Kapugegedera (62) and Lahiru Thirimanne (48) nevertheless saved the Lankan innings from imploding with an 88-run stand for the fourth wicket. Upul Tharanga, batting at No. 6, also contributed with a quick 44-ball 48, but with the left-arm spin combination of Shakib and Abdur Razzak taking four wickets between them, the hosts bowled Sri Lanka out for 232 in 49.5 overs.

With rain playing spoilsport at the beginning of the Bangladesh innings, the match was reduced to 40 overs with the hosts needing to chase 212 under the Duckworth/Lewis method. When the match finally resumed, Bangladesh were reduced to 40 for three in 7.1 overs, but half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal (59) and Shakib (56) put Bangladesh on course to chase down the score. Shakib was particularly combative in his innings as he brought up his second half-century score of the competition off just 46 deliveries. With Nasir Hossain (36*) and Mahmudullah (32*) sharing a 77-run unbeaten stand for the sixth wicket, the hosts reached home with 17 deliveries left to be bowled in the game.

Bangladesh’s win meant that they were tied with India at eight points after three league matches. However, it was Bangladesh who progressed to the final by virtue of having beaten India earlier in the tournament.